Not a good alternative

<p>Editor: I recently received a Sonoma County Conservation Action alert that was circulated through my neighborhood by a canvasser. It is about Dutra Company’s recently proposed asphalt recycling plant across the river from Shollenberger Park.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>The letter suggests how someone could go about writing to the Board of Supervisors and includes points that any such letter should contain in order to influence the board. I applaud SCCA’s attempt to stop the construction of this plant. However, one of the suggestions is that rather than have the plant constructed at the proposed downstream site, it should be situated at an alternative site and the one which is suggested is the Pomeroy property. </p><p>The Pomeroy property is situated in the city limits of Petaluma on Hopper street, next to the animal shelter. It is across the river from the park area that the city of Petaluma is trying to develop on McNear Peninsula (which Friends of the Petaluma River has been working hard to facilitate). I don’t think that it serves the interests of the people of Petaluma to have the plant moved into the center of town, into a second area that is being developed as a park. Since the property is fairly contained and the surface is already paved over, polluted storm run-off would flow directly into the river upstream from Shollenberger Park. Additionally, any smoke and smell would be directly discharged into the downtown and residential Petaluma area. I can’t see how this is a good alternative. </p><p>Lynn King, Petaluma</p>